The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Bola Tinubu to launch an urgent investigation into the alleged disappearance and misuse of more than ₦6.79 billion in public funds within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
In a letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and anti-corruption agencies to investigate issues highlighted in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s Annual Report released on September 9, 2025.
The organisation also called for the prosecution of anyone found culpable and the recovery of all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition.
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SERAP said the audit exposed widespread financial mismanagement, abandoned projects, weak control of police armouries and the improper handling of crime exhibits.
It argued that the findings undermine policing, erode public trust and could worsen insecurity across the country.
The group cited Sections 14 and 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which place citizens’ welfare and the fight against corruption among the government’s core responsibilities.
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Among the major findings, the Auditor-General reported that more than ₦624 million was paid for several projects that were never executed.
These included the construction of a police college in Plateau State, the rehabilitation of an office building in Abuja and renovation works at facilities in Kaduna State.
The report also alleged that one contract was inflated by over ₦4 million through tax adjustments, while more than ₦1.93 billion was paid for 14 contracts that were later abandoned before new contracts were reportedly awarded.
The audit further revealed serious lapses in the management of police firearms and crime exhibits. It found that the police could not account for 42 firearms and 737 rounds of live ammunition issued for operations.
Auditors also observed that obsolete weapons were kept in unsecured locations instead of being properly disposed of.
In addition, the report cited the unauthorised use of recovered vehicles and firearms, restricted access to exhibit rooms during the audit, missing crime exhibits and the improper release of cash, firearms and electronic devices.
The report also highlighted several financial and administrative irregularities.
These included the payment of over ₦112 million in allowances without budgetary provision, unretired cash advances exceeding ₦10 million, the failure to prepare and submit required financial statements, the non-remittance of tax deductions, and poor inventory management, including the removal of 10 operational horses from official records without following due process.
The audit cited the payment of over ₦112 million in allowances without budgetary approval, unretired cash advances exceeding ₦10 million, failure to submit required financial statements, tax deductions that were not remitted, and poor record-keeping, including the removal of 10 operational horses from inventory without due process.
Auditors questioned contracts worth over ₦438 million for security equipment and a ₦258.98 million patrol vehicle contract awarded without proper procurement procedures.
They also flagged an ₦18 million training programme lacking supporting records and over ₦30.85 million in security allowances paid through an intermediary.
In addition, the NPF Insurance Unit allegedly paid ₦681.4 million to insurance brokers without settling beneficiaries’ claims and failed to process insurance policies worth over ₦1.62 billion.
The Police Public Relations Office was also cited for awarding more than ₦57.48 million in contracts without competitive bidding.
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SERAP gave the Federal Government seven days to begin action on its demands, warning that it would file a lawsuit if the authorities failed to investigate the allegations and ensure accountability..
